USS Missouri battleship symbolizes American military power across decades
- USS Missouri, commissioned during World War II, was the last battleship of its class.
- The Iowa-class battleships were designed to enhance U.S. naval strength against Japanese warships.
- Today, the USS Missouri stands as a historic landmark in Pearl Harbor, attracting public interest.
In the 1940s, during rising tensions in the Pacific, the U.S. Navy designed the Iowa-class battleships to surpass Japanese naval capabilities. USS Missouri, the last battleship commissioned by the U.S. Navy, was laid down in 1941 amidst escalating hostilities, ultimately serving in significant conflicts such as World War II, Korean War, and Gulf War, earning numerous commendations. Though the USS Missouri faced challenges, including a kamikaze attack that resulted in a fire, it sustained minimal damage. After a substantial modernization, it continued its service until retirement in the late 1990s. The battleship has been stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, since 1999, where it is open to the public, representing a monumental piece of naval history.